Wikimedia Conference 2018/Program/16

16. Sharing approaches on partnerships with grassroots movements

How to move forward

What was this session about?

The session consisted of several short presentation from different affiliates that already work with grassroots movements and shared approaches on starting such work.

What are the next steps to be taken?

Speakers expect more Wikimedians to work with grassroots movements in the future.

Photos

see the Commons category

Slides

TBA

Speaker(s)

Alice Baker (Wikimedia NYC/AfroCrowd), Mariana Fossatti (Wikimedia Uruguay), Carmen Alcázar (Wikimedia México), Gayane Vardanyan (Wikimedia Armenia)

Length (min)

60

Audience / Target group

everyone interested in working with grassroots movements

Session Format

Every speaker has 10 min presentation, followed by 5 min Q&A.

Description

Among participants of the Wikimedia Conference 2018, there is a strong wish to learn more about partnerships with grassroots movements.

4 speakers showing and explaining their approach, starting with the broadest and ending with 1-2 very specific ones. Every speaker has 3 template slides, filled with they have learned, what are the challenges/limitations of their approach, what the movement could learn from it.

Desired Outcome

Inspiration and more Wikimedians that work with grassroots movements

Documentation

• Alice Backer, Wikimedia New York City / AfroCrowd

  We see cultural preservation groups and the people orbiting around them as our main partners. Tips: Try to have one GLAM partner (for space) and one cultural/grassroots group partner whose mission aligns with the theme of each editathon (for people); Connecting with cultural groups may mean talking at their conferences, even if editing cannot happen until later event.

• Mariana Fossatti, Wikimedia Uruguay

  Wikimedia Uruguay is co-organizing thematic edit-a-thons in partnership with feminists, afro-descendants and human rights organizations. Tips: Meet regularly with partners, as frequently as possible, because in many cases, they don't usually organize events through online collaboration tools: face-to-face consensus building is important; The own culture of the grassroots movements is a central part of the event (not just our Wikipedian culture): let's make room for talks, artistic shows, celebrations and other activities beyond the edition.

• Carmen Alcázar, Wikimedia México

  Editatona, a project to reduce Gender Gap in Wikimedia. Tips: Hack the current models; Find your regional issues and plan your own initiatives.

• Gayane Vardanyan, Wikimedia Armenia

  Partnership with Medical museum run by an individual, Birthright Armenia, Armenian Volunteer Bank. Tips: Cooperation with small organizations is quick and less bureaucratic; First understand your needs and look for capacities outside of the Movement.

• Olga Viota, Ester Bonet, Wikimujeres

  A Partnership with Geochicas Group, project that combines data from OSM and Wikipedia. Tips: If we have more visual and friendly presentations we can reach out to other people; Women who don’t know how work with Wikipedia or OSM can be interested if we show data.

See links to Further reading in the slides.